Improved hair colouring sheets

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sheet ( 1 ) which is impermeable to bleach, tint or hair dye and which is adapted to enclose a strand of hair from the remainder of the hair on the head wherein the sheet ( 1 ) is dissolvable in water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair colouring sheets or strips or meches which can be used for highlighting, lowlighting or streaking hair and which are dissolvable in water.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

One of the most basic methods of bleaching or colouring hair to achieve a highlighted, lowlighted or streaked effect or to achieve any type of hair colouring, is for the bleach, tint or dye to simply be painted directly onto sections of the head of hair, this method is sometimes known as balliage. However this method typically only allows the upper most strands of hair to be coloured. Also typically the liquid dye or bleach can penetrate the entire head of hair reaching the underlying strands resulting in much larger blocks of colour, which is undesirable.

In an attempt to achieve control of the colouring and bleaching techniques have been developed for isolating the hair to be treated from the rest of the head of hair. One of these is the use of a cap, similar to a bathing cap which fits closely over the head. The cap has a plurality of tiny holes through which a hairdresser can pull small strands of hair using a crochet hook. The technique is effective but quite painful. The strands of hair which have been separated from the remainder of the head of hair can then be bleached or dyed.

Also known in the prior art is a foil method in which a sheet of aluminium foil is held under a strand of hair to be treated with the sheet of aluminium foil being held as close against the scalp as possible before the bleach, tint or dye is applied to the isolated strand of hair. The free end of the aluminium foil is then folded or rolled towards the head to trap the isolated strand of hair within the foil. Since typically it is desired to treat a number of strands of hair in this way, it becomes difficult to hold the foil in place as the dye or bleach is being applied to other strands of hair and indeed during the waiting time while the bleach or dye is left on the hair to bring about the dying effect. The process often involves two pairs of hands to effectively treat one head of hair.

Another method involves the use of liquid-impermeable or liquid-resistant sheets which incorporate a layer of adhesive. Typically the process of highlighting, lowlighting or streaking hair involves separating a portion of the hair which is to be treated, from the remaining hair on the head, sticking one side of a liquid-impermeable sheet or strip to the portion of hair separated at the roots of the hair, spreading a bleach, tint or a dye over the separated strand of hair and then folding the other end of the sheet over the treated hair to form an envelope, which separates the treated hair from the remainder of the hair on the head. The sheets are typically impermeable to liquid and may be made of aluminium foil, or a plastics material. They are can be formed with a fold approximately along the length of the strip so that the two ends of the sheet can be folded together to trap a strand of hair between them. Often there is a strip of adhesive at one edge of the sheet which sticks to the hair to hold the strip on the hair, and which also sticks to the other half of the sheet when it is folded over. There is often a removable cover to protect the adhesive strip prior to use. By separating a strand of hair, placing it on the sheet, applying the bleach, tint or dye and then folding over the cover, the strand of hair which is treated is separated from the hair so that when the bleach, tint or dye is ultimately removed only a portion of the hair has a colour change, thus creating a highlighted, lowlighted or streaked effect in the hair.

The sheets or strips used in this process are well known in the art and are often also called foils. Some examples of such sheets or foils are disclosed in US2004118424A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,741A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,679B and U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,590A.

US 2013/025 5713 discloses a laminate which has at least two layers. One layer of the laminate is a water-soluble polymer film containing active substances and at least one second layer of the laminate is a nonwoven fabric, a knitted fabric, a woven fabric or reform film, which consists of a water-soluble polymer which has an increased water retention capacity. In one embodiment, the first layer is impregnated with an agent which is a bleaching agent, such as a peroxo compound. The laminate is used as a bleaching foil for bleaching hair. The advantage of the laminate is that, following addition of water, it becomes completely soaked similar to a sponge, and/or it retains a relatively large amount of water on the material surface. In use the water retention layer of the laminate is wet and then a hair tress is placed on the wetted water retention layer. The active ingredients are released by prolonged contact between the wetted water retention layer and the active-ingredient-containing layer. Once the active ingredients have acted on the hair, the laminate and any sheet like covering present is then manually removed from the hair and the hair is rinsed with water.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for streaking, highlighting or lowlighting hair which minimises waste disposal. A further object is to provide foils for hair colouring which can be flushed down the sink. A still further object is to remove the necessity to manually release a plurality of sheets or foils from the customer's head when only a small number of highlights are being applied. A still further object is to reduce the time and effort involved in removing the sheets or foils and disposing of them.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple, economical and effective method for highlighting, lowlighting or streaking the hair which is also easy to remove from the head. A further object is to provide a method which is capable of allowing bleach, tint or dye to be applied to the roots of the hair. A still further object of the invention is to provide a hair colouring product which is dissolvable in water for ease of removal from the hair and which at the same time is impermeable to the dye or bleach used for colouring the hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a sheet comprising one layer, which is resistant to bleach or hair dye and which is adapted to enclose a strand of hair from the remainder of the hair on the head wherein the sheet is dissolvable in water. In certain embodiments, the sheet may be impermeable to bleach or hair dye. The sheet may be composed of a single layer of material. Preferably the sheet dissolves rapidly on contact with water.

The sheet may be elongated in shape and may comprise a crease or fold adjacent to its centre such that the sheet can be folded around an isolated strand of hair.

Preferably a layer of water soluble adhesive may be coated on to the sheet adjacent the edge which would abut the scalp in use, for adhering the sheet to the hair and/or the scalp. In a further embodiment a layer of adhesive may be provided on the edges of the sheet which do not abut the scalp in use, such that the sheet can be folded and fastened around a strand of hair. In a still further embodiment, the substantially the entire surface of the sheet is coated with a water-soluble adhesive. The layer of adhesive may suitably be provided with a protecting strip, which is removable in use to expose the layer of adhesive. In an alternative embodiment the sheet may be provided with a double coated adhesive tape which is adhered to the sheet adjacent to one edge so that one side of the tape may be fixed to the sheet and the other side, when exposed, may be adhered to the hair.

A number of commercially available, pressure-sensitive adhesives may be used to secure the sheet or foil to the hair. Clearly the adhesive must be releasably adherent to the hair such that the adhesive dissolves in water.

Preferably the sheet and the adhesive are dissolvable in water at a temperature which is suitable for washing hair. In other words both the dissolvable sheet and dissolvable adhesive must not require extremely hot water to dissolve them to avoid the customer being burnt.

The sheets may be made of a variety of water-soluble materials papers or plastics materials such as:—

A water-soluble paper based on cellulose is available commercially from Extra Packaging Corp. Aicello produce a variety of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) water soluble films under the tradename Solublon. Water-soluble films are also available from MonoSol, Neptun-technologies, and Sokufol Folien GmbH. The only requirement is that the paper or plastics material is soluble in water, preferably warm water. Preferably, the sheet and the water-soluble materials of the sheet are not impregnated with any chemical. In addition the sheet does not comprise a water-retaining layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a hair colouring sheet in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a hair colouring sheet in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a hair colouring sheet having a fold line along its length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 the water soluble sheet 1 is generally rectangular in shape with two short edges 2 and two long edges 3. The sheet 1 is approximately 258 mm long by 100 mm wide, although other dimensions could be used to accommodate different lengths of hair. The sheet has a water-soluble strip 4 of adhesive along one of the short edges 2. In an alternative embodiment adhesive strips may also be provided along the long edges 3. In use the sheet 1 is placed under strands of hair separated from the head by the hairdresser and the strand of hair is pressed against the adhesive strip 4. Hair colourant is then applied to the hair strand. The sheet 1 is then folded over on itself to enclose the strand and pressed against the adhesive strip 4 so that the hair is trapped within the folded sheet. The hairdresser then determines how long the colourant should be left on the hair and when the colour is developed sufficiently, the sheets 1 can be removed and the hair washed. As the hair is washed the sheets 1 left in the basin dissolve as the water used for washing the hair runs over them. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the sheets 1 are tapered across their width, so that the sheet is 60 mm wide along its short edges 2 and about 100 mm wide across the middle. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet 1 may be formed with a crease or fold-line 5 adjacent the centre of its length. The fold-line 5 makes it easier for the hairdresser to fold the sheet over the coloured hair during application of the colouring product.

Tests were conducted with the soluble sheets or foils of the invention with a number of commercially available hair colouring compositions, to test the suitability of the sheet in practice. In particular, the effect on the colour of the hair was assessed for patchiness or streakiness and to determine if there was any leakage of colour. The sheets were also tested to determine how they responded to heat and how long it took to rinse off. The results of the tests are shown in Table 1.

Colour coverage on the heads tested was as would have expected from conventional foils. Neither wash required more time or water than would be used with the prior art foil colouring technique.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Effect on Effect on Effect on Sol. Foil Hair Colour Under Heat Length of e.g any e.g any e.g any Time = 1 minute time Time on deterioration, residue, any patchiness, under Overprocessing to rinse and Colour Manuf. /Name the Hair breakage dissolution any distortion intense heat Time = 1 hr 40 dissolve Schwarzkopf BlondeMe 45 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds Bleach Premium Lift 9+ perfect rinse off perfect rinse off Schwarzkopf Igora (5-0) 35 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds Tint perfect rinse off perfect rinse off Wella Bleach Blondor/ 45 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds MultiBlonde perfect rinse off perfect rinse off Wella Tint Koletson Perfect 35 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds 0/6 perfect rinse off perfect rinse off L'Oreal Platifiz Precision 45 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds Bleach perfect rinse off perfect rinse off L'Oreal Tint Majirel 6 35 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds perfect rinse off perfect rinse off Davines High Bleaching 45 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds Bleach Powder White perfect rinse off perfect rinse off Davines High Lift 12/1 45 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds Tint perfect rinse off perfect rinse off Goldwell Tint Topchic 6N 35 mins none none none No deterioration, No deterioration, 10/15 seconds perfect rinse off perfect rinse off 

1. A sheet which is impermeable to bleach, tint or hair dye and which is adapted to enclose a strand of hair from the remainder of the hair on the head wherein the sheet is comprised of a single layer and is dissolvable in water.
 2. A sheet as claimed in claim 1 which is elongate in shape and comprises a crease or fold adjacent to its centre such that the sheet can be folded around an isolated strand of hair.
 3. A sheet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a layer of adhesive is provided adjacent the edge of the sheet which would abut the scalp in use, for adhering the sheet to the hair and/or the scalp.
 4. A sheet as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a layer of adhesive adjacent the edge of the sheet which would not abut the scalp in use, for fastening the sheet around a strand of hair.
 5. A sheet as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a layer of adhesive which is coated onto substantially the entire surface of the sheet.
 6. A sheet as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the layer of adhesive is provided with a protecting strip, which is removable in use to expose the layer of adhesive.
 7. A sheet as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the sheet is provided with a double coated adhesive tape which is adhered to the sheet adjacent to an edge so that one side of the tape may be fixed to the sheet and the other side, when exposed, may be adhered to the hair or to the sheet.
 6. A sheet as claimed in claims 3 to 7 wherein the adhesive is releasably adherent to the hair such that the adhesive dissolves in water.
 9. A sheet as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet is composed of a water soluble material selected from water soluble papers and water soluble plastics.
 10. A sheet which is impermeable to bleach, tint or hair dye substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 